REMOTE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR RETAIL FACILITY

Abstract: A system for communicating between a store computer (10) and locations (16, 30) in the aisles of a retail facility. A hard wired grid connects the store computer to a plurality of transceivers (18) located in zones throughout the facility and the transceivers establish a wireless link to the locations. One embodiment is a product information display system in which the locations are fixed information display terminals (16), such as price displaying shelf tags. Another embodiment is an item tracking system, in which the locations are movable shopping carts (30) or baskets.

Description: REMOTE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR RETAIL FACILITY Cross Reference to Related Applications This application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 08/083,389, filed June 28, 1993, which is a continuation of application Serial No. 07/753,004, filed August 23, 1991, which is a continuation of application Serial No. 07/427,896, filed October 24, 1989, which is a continuation- in-part of application Serial No. 07/352,553, filed May 16, 1989. The above-mentioned applications are incorporated fully herein by reference. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to an electronic information display and item tracking system, and, more particularly, to a computer based system for electromagnetic tracking the position of shopping carts and baskets, and displaying pricing, advertising, and other specialized information at remote display modules which are connected to a central computer. Background of the Invention Most modern retail stores implement some form of computer technology in their operations. This typically consists of using point of sale (POS) systems for automating the checkout procedures. A POS system generally has one or more automated check-out terminals which is capable of sensing and interpreting the Universal Product Code (UPC) printed on each item of merchandise to be checked out. Each of these terminals is connected to a computer which processes the UPC information. The computer's data base includes a list of items of merchandise on sale, a UPC for each of these items, and various types of information, including pricing and inventory information, associated with each UPC. When a customer is ready to make a purchase, the store clerk simply uses an automated terminal to sense the UPC markings on each of the customer's selections. The computer interprets the UPC, looks up the price for each item, and keeps a running total of the purchase. For a chain of retail stores, each of the store platform computers are often linked to a central computer. This allows the data base of each store to be modified by changing only the date base of the central computer. In a store, merchandise offered for sale is typically displayed in some way, usually by placing the merchandise on a shelf. Plastic or paper pricing indicators are commonly mounted in proximity to the merchandise to notify customers of its price. Pricing indicators often include information such as size, weight, unit price and other identifying information. When a change in price is made to one or more of the merchandise items, two things must occur. First, the computer's data base must be modified to reflect the price change. As soon as this change occurs, the new price will automatically be charged to customers at the check-out terminal. Second, the price indicator for each of the affected items must be changed. It is desirable to change the data base and the indicated price at the same time so that there are no discrepancies. There are many disadvantages with this type of set-up, the main one being that whenever any of the indicator information has to be changed, it must be done so manually. This requires that new pricing tags must be ordered, printed and delivered to the store and then manually placed on the store shelves. Associated with this procedure is the cost of printing and delivering indicators and the labor cost to replace out of date pricing indicators. This is especially disadvantageous where price changes occur often. Many stores also use alternative means to convey pricing and other information about merchandise to its customers. Some stores use handwritten or pre-printed displays that are somewhat larger than the tags that are used on the shelves. These displays may be self-standing and portable or may be fixed to a shelf or a ceiling. With each of these methods, however, the store is faced with the cost of printing and installing the displays each time they are changed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,002,886 to Ronald M. Sundelin dated Jan. 11, 1977 discloses an electronic price read out system in which preprinted price indicators are replaced by electronic price indicator units. The information displayed by these units can be changed at will by changing the electrical stimulus at the input of each unit. Each of the electronic price indicator units is connected to the same computer that supplies prices to the POS terminals. This way the system assures that whenever the price of an item is changed in the computer's data base, both the price displayed and the price charged at the check-out terminal are automatically changed to the new price. The Sundelin patent discloses that the computer is connected to the price indicator units using four conductors or wires. This feature makes the system difficult to implement as it requires wires to be routed throughout the store. In order for the computer to differentiate between the many price indicator units, each unit is assigned a unique address. Correlation in the computer database between the price indicator unit address and the price to be displayed is achieved either by manually entering the information into the computer via its keyboard or by using a remote unit connected to the store computer, having a keypad for entering information, and scanning means for sensing and interpreting UPC markings on items of merchandise. U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,295 to Malcolm H. Davis discloses a similar system; however, the store computer is connected to the price indicator units via an infra red communications link. One disad¬ vantage to the system disclosed in the Davis patent is that there is only a one way communication between the computer and the price indicator unit. That is, the system only allows for information to be transmitted from the computer to the price indicator unit. Another disadvantage is that all price indicators are receiving data whenever any price indicator is receiving its specific data. This increases power consumption which becomes critical to system operation when the price indicators are battery operated. Most modern retail stores implement some method of tracking the path customers take while shopping, to determine shopping habits and effect of advertising, product placement, etc. Ideally store-wide information should be collected and analyzed daily. The only method currently available is manual, and is usually accomplished by store personnel armed with a stop watch and counter observing and recording traffic in an aisle. This activity is cumbersome, time consuming and costly. Therefore customer tracking is used on a limited basis. Summary of the Invention The present invention provides an integrated communication, pricing, advertising, and tracking system for secure instore communication and displaying current pricing information as well as advertising information on remote display terminals, and tracking customer activity throughout a store. The system has a store platform computer which provides communication software, a data base for pricing, advertising, and tracking information within each store. The store platform computer is connectable to a central computer which may be located off-site. A plurality of point of sale (POS) terminals are linked to the store platform computer. A plurality of portable and fixed peripheral devices such as hand held scanners and electronic scales are located throughout the store. A plurality of electronic price information display tags are mounted throughout the store at various merchandise locations. Battery operated tracking transmitters are attached to a plurality of shopping carts and baskets which may be moving throughout the store. Each display tag is battery powered and contains a transceiver for communication with the store platform computer. Communication between the store platform computer and peripheral devices and the display tags and tracking transmitters is facilitated with an IR controller and an IR transceiver grid. The IR transceiver grid is comprised of a plurality of individual transceivers placed throughout the store and it is electromagnetically linked to the peripheral devices transceivers, tracking transmitters and the transceivers resident in each of the electronic display tags. The IR controller is a microcomputer-based terminal which is hardwired to both the store platform computer and the IR transceiver grid. The IR controller regulates the transmission and reception of data to and from the IR transceiver grid. A portable terminal which is coupled to and can communicate with both the store platform computer and the electronic display tags is used to initialize display tag addresses. Included in the system are portable electronic display terminals with IR transceivers for communication with the store platform computer as well as display terminals that are hard wired to the IR transceiver grid. According to a feature of the invention, the IR transmitters, transceivers and the display tags are all individually addressable. As a result of this double level of addressability, only the IR transceiver or transceivers actually communicating with the display tags are addressed and transmit IR signals. Thus, when the display tags are configured to have a low gain standby mode and to switch to a high gain mode only when receiving IR signals, battery power for the display tags is conserved because only those display tags in the vicinity of the display tag to be addressed are switched to the power consuming, high gain mode. According to another feature of the invention, two-way communication is established between the IR transceiver grid and the display tags so that the price data to be displayed by the display tags or an error check signal can be transmitted back to the IR controller to verify that the correct price data has been received by the display tag. According to another feature of the invention, as each individually addressed transceiver in the grid receives a signal from a tracking transmitter it communicates this information through the IR controller to the store platform computer for processing. Brief Description of the Drawings These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the information display system; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the specific elements of the electronic information display system shown in their operative relationship with each other; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the IR controller, the IR transceiver grid, and the display tags; and FIG. 4 is a diagram of the message words transmitted between the IR controller and the display tags via the IR transceiver grid and the timing of such message words. FIG. 5 s a block diagram of the cart tracking system; FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the cart tracking system; and FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the information collection function in the cart tracking system. Detailed Description of the Invention The invention comprises a system for communicating between a store computer and locations in the aisles and other desired locations of a retail facility. A hard wired grid connects the store computer to a plurality of transceivers located in zones throughout the facility and die transceivers establish a wireless link to the locations. One embodiment is a secure instore communications network in which the positions of the communicating devices may or may not be fixed. Another embodiment is a product information display system in which the locations are fixed information display terminals, such as price displaying shelf tags. Another embodiment is an item tracking system, in which the locations are movable shopping carts or baskets, hereafter collectively called "shopping carts". The three embodiments can be used individually or together. In the latter case, the described hardware can be used with both embodiments, separate software being provided for each embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of the price information display system is shown. The store platform computer 10 provides a data base for all of the merchandise in the store. The data base associates each item of merchandise with, among other things, the price of the item, and its (UPC). The store platform computer 10 is electrically connected to a plurality of point of sale (POS) terminals 12. The POS terminals are used to sense the UPC code on the items of merchandise, the UPC is interpreted by the POS terminal, and compared against its data base, supplied by the platform computer, for all store items. The price associated with that particular UPC code is found and added to the running total of the purchase. Price changes may be made in die data base at the store platform level; however, if the store platform computer is linked to another computer 14, one that serves as a central computer to a plurality of store platform computers, then price changes can be made at the central computer 14 and downloaded to each of the store platform computers 10. Additionally, the platform computer contains the software that controls communications to and from the peripheral devices 32. The store platform computer also supplies data, in addition to providing data to the POS terminals, to a plurality of electronic display tags 16 and peripheral devices 32. Display tags are used to convey pricing and other information about the particular item of merchandise the tag is associated with. The display tags have the ability to store and then display information as a function of time. This ability allows price changes and other information to be displayed at a specific time and day without the need of communication with the tag at mat specific time and day. This feature makes it possible for relatively instantaneous changes to all tags even though the system may have slow data communication rates. In addition, power consumption of the tag is reduced since the largest power consumption exists when communication is taking place. One communication can program many changes in displayed information. Peripheral devices are used to add, change, or retrieve data contained wimin the platform computer's data base from a remote location within the store. A hand held scanner could be used to retrieve and display or change die quantity of a specific product in stock or on die shelves, from the location of said product. The information display system is integrated into me POS system by adding to the described POS system an IR controller as well as communications software bom within the IR controller and the Store Platform computer. In an exemplary embodiment, referencing FIGS. 1 and 2, merchandise is placed on shelving 18 witiiin the store and an electronic display tag is mounted on die shelf adjacent to each item of merchandise. Each of the display tags may indicate various information relating to that particular item, such as the total cost, the cost per unit, the size or weight, etc. Each of the electronic display tags contain an infra-red (IR) emitter for transmitting data and an IR sensor for receiving data. Each tag is uniquely identified by a binary address which is stored in random access memory RAM witiiin the tag. This allows the address of die tag to be changed from time to time. The electronic display tags are powered by a battery which operates the IR sensor in two modes. To reduce battery power consumption, me IR sensor amplifier is normally maintained in a low gain mode. When an IR signal is radiated toward the display tag, die IR sensor amplifier is switched to a high gain mode. By way of example, a high gain mode could be enabled or energized periodically to detect when an IR signal is present. If during an enabled period an IR signal is received, die IR sensor receiver is maintained in d e high gain mode for a predetermined time period after die IR signal ceases. The electronic display tags communicate with a grid of IR transceivers 18 which, in an exemplary embodiment, are housed in die ceiling of the store. Only one of the IR transceivers is illustrated in FIG. 1. The IR transceiver grid is made of an array of IR emitters and IR sensors 20 which are positioned at selected positions in die ceiling 19. It is not necessary to have a direct line of sight between die transceivers in the display tags and die transceivers in the ceiling since infrared signals may be reflected. The number and location of die IR emitters and IR sensors in die IR transceiver grid depends on die number and location of die electronic display tags. In any case, eadi IR transceiver 18 communicates with only a relatively small number of the total number of display tags 16 in the store. For example, if the store has 20,000 display tags, diere could be 300 IR transceivers each communicating with about 50 to 75 display tags in its vicinity, die grid of IR transceivers being spaced apart six to eight feet and overlapping somewhat the display tags widi which diey communicate. The IR transceiver grid 18 is connected to die IR controller 22 which is in turn connected to die store platform computer 10. The IR controller is a microcomputer-based terminal mat controls transmission from and reception of die IR transceiver grid. The IR controller provides two basic functions. It converts parallel binary data into a serial stream of coded data for transmission from d e IR transceivers. The IR controller also converts coded serial data from the IR transceivers to parallel binary data. The IR transceiver grid and electronic display tags are also capable of communicating with the hand held unit 24. The hand held unit has an IR emitter and an IR sensor for communicating with odier transceivers, a keypad for entering information, and scanning means for sensing and interpreting UPC markings on items of merchandise. When a new item is added to die store's inventory, the hand held tag is used by an operator to initialize the electronic display tag so diat die tag will display information pertaining to only that item of merchandise. First, die clerk uses die hand held unit to scan die UPC marking on die new item. The UPC is then transmitted from the hand held unit to die store platform computer via the IR link between the hand held unit and die applicable IR transceiver. The computer processes the UPC and assigns a display tag identification code for die tag for that item at diat location and the product identification code is transmitted back to die hand held unit via die IR link. The operator then uses the hand held unit to inject the code into the electronic display tag. This is done optically via die wireless link between the IR emitter in the hand held unit and die IR sensor in the electronic display tag. In order to avoid miscommunication with a nearby display tag, die hand held unit must be held in close proximity to die display tag. The hand held unit dien advises d e store platform computer iat die download is complete. Once complete, die tag is able to communicate to d e store platform computer via its own transceiver. During mis initialization process, additional information may be supplied to die data base. For example, die operator may use the hand held unit to tell die store platform computer where the item is located in die store. The information supplied to die electronic display tag remains intact until it is changed on command by die store platform computer. For example, when die price of an item changes, die price change is entered into die store platform computer by an operator. Once the data base changes, die new price is available for die POS terminals. The operator will also instruct die store platform computer to update die price on die electronic display tag which is associated widi diat item. The store platform computer will send a message containing die price change over die IR transceiver addressed to die appropriate electronic display tags. In die preferred embodiment, mere are two levels of addressability. IR transceivers 18 are each assigned unique addresses and display tags 16 are each assigned unique addresses. A particular IR transceiver will only transmit an IR signal to die display tags in its vicinity if it first receives a message word having an address mat matches the address assigned to die IR transceiver. Thus, fewer than all the IR transceivers usually transmit IR signals and only diose display tags in die vicinity of such IR transceivers are switched to d e high gain mode. As a result, battery power is conserved. As described above, only die display tag assigned die address diat matches die address of die IR signal responds to die display tag data carrier by such IR signal. As illustrated in FIG. 3, display tags 16 transmit to and receive IR signals from IR transceivers 18 in their vicinity. Some price tags may receive IR signals from more than one transceiver, but, nevertheless, in die preferred embodiment, fewer man all of diem to conserve battery power. An instruction field determines what such display tag does widi die display tag data field, e.g. changes die displayed price. Two-way IR transmission takes place between d e IR transceivers and die display tags. Message words having die display tag address and die display tag data are transmitted from d e IR transceivers to die display tags, and signals to verify receipt of correct display tag data are transmitted from die display tags to the IR transceivers. Preferably, die verifying signal is a simple data-valid signal comprising a unique code word of several binary bits, which is sent by a display tag when me display tag data it receives satisfies a parity check. Alternatively, aldiough it would consume more battery power, the verifying signal could comprise a retransmission of the display tag data to die IR transceiver for comparison wi i the data it had sent. In eitiier case, die display tag data is retransmitted by die controller if d e verifying signal is not received by die IR transceiver. As shown in FIG. 4, when new display tag data is to be sent to a display tag, die controller transmits an acquisition signal to all d e IR transceivers at a time Tl. The acquisition signal has an IR transceiver address field and a check sum field diat carries parity bits to verify diat the correct acquisition signal has been received by d e IR transceivers. At a time T2, die addressed IR transceiver transmits a send data signal to die controller if parity checks. Then, at a time T3, a display tag signal is transmitted by die controller. Only die addressed IR transceiver, i.e. die transceiver diat transmitted die send data signal, responds to die display tag signal. The display tag signal has a display tag address field, a check sum field mat carries parity bits to verify that die correct display tag address has been received, a display tag instruction field diat defines die function to be performed, a display tag data field diat defines e price or other data to be displayed by d e tag, and a check sum field diat carries parity bits to verify that die correct display tag data has been received. The instruction field could identify die type of data in die display tag data field and how it is to be used by die display tag. At a time T4, die addressed IR transceiver transmits a data valid signal to die controller if parity checks. At a time T5, die addressed transceiver transmits to die display tags in its vicinity an IR signal modulated widi die display tag signal. At a time T6, die addressed display tag transmits a data valid signal to die IR transceiver. The data valid signal is one binary value if parity checks and anotiier binary value if parity does not check. At a time T7, d e addressed transceiver transmits a message completed signal to die controller. The message completed signal has a data valid field mat carries die binary value transmitted at time T6, a display tag address field, and a check sum field diat carries parity bits to verify that the correct message completed signal is transmitted to the controller. If the data valid field of die message completed signal received by die controller indicates d at parity does not check, i.e. diat die display tag data received by die display tag is incorrect, die controller repeats the described sequence until die data valid field does indicate a parity check. If the send data signal at %2 or the data valid signal at T4 is not received by die controller or die message completed signal at T7 received by die controller does not satisfy die parity check, die controller also repeats die described sequence. If desired, an alarm could be actuated after die sequence is repeated unsuccessfully a given number of times, e.g. ten times. In die odier embodiment, die item tracking system, die store platform computer receives data from a transceiver in the transceiver grid when diat transceiver receives address data from a movable tracking transmitter. Each transceiver and tracking transmitter have unique addresses making it possible for die tracking software contained widiin die store platform to track die padi traveled by a specific tracking transmitter. The tracking transmitters are mounted on shopping carts, thereby making it possible to track the path taken by a specific cart hence a specific customer as it traverses die store. The platform computer contains a real time clock making it possible to determine when d e tracking transmitter arrives at and departs from the zone covered by each transceiver, including when die cart arrives at die POS. Combining this information with die POS data it is possible to know what padi was taken in die store, die products purchased, and in some cases d e name of the customer. The transmitters are battery operated and are attached to die shopping carts in the retail facility. These transmitters communicate to the platform computer, using die described transceiver grid, in substantially die same way as die display tags. Each transmitter transmits a series of diree identical data transmissions, lasting less man 100 milliseconds once per second, as long as die cart to which it is attached is in motion. When motion ceases, transmissions cease. Enabling transmission only when the cart is in motion conserves battery power and reduces unnecessary redundant data flow to the store platform computer. Each data transmission from a tracking transmitter contains the transmitter's unique address, die battery status, and a check sum. Upon receipt of a valid transmission, the transceiver stores die address and battery status in memory and waits to be polled by die store platform computer to download transmissions received since die last poll. Software contained widiin the store platform performs die necessary manipulation of die raw data received via me transceiver grid to determine die location of each tracking transmitter in time and space, and stores this information in a file for easy access by other programs. Preferably, the system also includes a means to read previously recorded demographic information about the customer associated widi die sales transaction in progress at a specific POS terminal. This information is contained in a card, similar in appearance to a credit card, issued to die customer by die store or odier agency. The customer's demographics, products purchased, and associated tracking transmitter address data is processed by software contained in die platform and stored in a file for easy access by odier programs. Preferably, d e system also includes software at the store platform computer and/or die central computer to sort, combine, and manipulate die data contained in die time and space and die demographic and purchase files and to store and/or print die results. In FIG. 5, a block diagram of d e tracking portion of die system is shown. The tracking portion could be implemented separately or used togedier with die information display portion. In die latter case, the same IR grid functions in botii portions. The tracking portion of die system utilizes die same transceiver grid 18 described in die information display section (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) to receive signals from tracking transmitters 31, which are mounted on respective shopping carts. However, since die tracking transmitters 31 do not have corresponding receivers, only die receiving portion of the transceiver grid is utilized. The tracking transmitters 31 transmit a series of identical data transmissions, lasting less man 100 milliseconds, on a non-synchronized periodic basis, e.g., once each second. Each transmission comprises the unique address, die battery status and a check sum. Each tracking transmitter 31 has a motion detector 33. The power from the battery is only applied to one of die tracking transmitters 31 when corresponding motion detector 33 senses diat the shopping cart is moving. The transmissions intercepted by transceivers 18 are sent to the IR controller 22 by die IR grid. The IR controller 22 sends die information to the store platform computer 10. An IR link from each POS terminal to e store computer is also established so die shopping cart being checked out can be identified. A card reader 13 is located at each POS terminal 12 to permit identification of die customer. Information, including product identification, price, shopping cart identification, and customer identification, is also sent to store platform computer 10 by POS terminals 12. A clock 15 tags the time when the information is received by computer 10 from transceivers 18 and POS terminals 12, and d us fixes die timing of die events. The store computer 10 sends die information to a central computer 17, which serves all die retail facilities of die network. In FIG. 6, a typical application of cart tracking is shown. Upon receipt of a valid transmission from a tracking transmitter 31, die receiving transceiver 18 sends its unique address and the address of die received tracking transmitter to the store platform computer 10. Since each transceiver and tracking transmitter have unique addresses and die store platform computer 10 has a real-time clock, the tracking software in die store computer 10 can track die position of die tracking transmitters 31 with respect to time. Attaching a tracking transmitter to a shopping cart 30, a shopping basket, or a customer makes it possible to track the padi taken by the customer while shopping, including d e arrival at a specific POS terminal 12. For example, in FIG. 6, die infrared energy radiated from the tracking transmitter 31 attached to die shopping cart designated A is received by transceiver 18ii. The energy radiated from die tracking transmitter 31 attached to die shopping cart designated B is received by transceivers 18ii and 18iii. The energy radiated die transmitter 31 attached to die shopping cart designated D is received by transceiver 18iv. In FIG. 7 is illustrated a block diagram of information flow within die tracking system of FIGS . 5 and 6. Tracking information represented by a block 35 comprises transmitter position information derived from die transceiver grid. POS terminal information represented by a block 37 comprises data on die products purchased from the POS terminals and die identification of die shopping card diat made die purchases. Thus, the actual purchases can be linked to die padi taken by the shopping cart in die store. Customer card information represented by a block 39 comprises customer identification. The information from blocks 35, 37, and 39 is transmitted to die store computer 10 where it is stored. This information can be used to produce management reports locally and/or be sent to die central computer for manipulation and report generation. Reports such as die percentage of shopping traffic in a specific aisle at a specific day and time, and traffic increase or decrease resulting from price changes or advertising, can be generated. The customer identification is linked widi previously recorded demographic data about die customer. This adds anotiier dimension to die system's ability to analyze the cause and effects of stimulus to sales. Data can be manipulated and sorted as a function of price, product location, advertising, customer demographics, store and product location, environment, etc. The purpose of the unique addresses assigned to transceivers 18 is permit them to individually communicate widi and be separately identifiable by store computer 10. In die product information displaying embodiment, this permits store computer 10 to actuate only die transceiver 18 covering die zone in which die shelf tag to be updated is located. In die item tracking embodiment, this permits store computer 10 to identify d e zone in which movable items are located. Radier dian have the unique addresses take die form of a transceiver address field that carries binary identifiers, they could be radio frequency carriers on which die information (price and/or location address) is modulated or a time shared arrangement in which die transceivers are scanned by store computer 10 in a predetermined, synchronized sequence. Alternatively, die unique addresses take die form of a separate wire connection for each transceiver 18, the transceiver being identified to die store computer by the particular wire connection on which d e signal is sent to or by die store computer. In die described embodiment, each of die electronic display tags have a separate transceiver. In an alternate embodiment of die present invention, a group of electronic display tags, each having dieir own unique address, are connected to one regional transceiver. Each of diese regional transceivers has associated widi it, control circuitry to de-multiplex die incoming information to the appropriate electronic display tag. For example, a regional transceiver is located at each aisle of shelving. That transceiver receives and transmits all of die information related to die display tags mounted on diat particular aisle. In an exemplary embodiment of die present invention, die system also includes communications and display and advertising mechanisms in addition to die display tags. For example, information is displayed on movable display screens 28 which are substantially larger man die display tags. These screens operate in substantially die same way as the display tags, being programmable and having a self contained transceiver for communication widi die hand held unit and die store platform computer. Additional screens 30 may be hardwired to die IR transceiver for direct communication wid the store platform computer. Further, die display screens may eidier be battery powered or connected to a facility power source. Anodier example would be a peripheral device such as a portable Kiosk, having a self contained transceiver, which a customer could use to locate and obtain die price of a specific item widiin die store. The preceding description has been presented widi reference to die presently preferred embodiment to die invention shown in the drawings. Workers skilled in die art and technology to which diis invention pertains will appreciate diat alterations and changes in die described structures can be practiced widiout departing from die spirit, principles, and scope of this invention.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A communication system for a retail sales establishment comprising: a central store computer; a grid of infrared terminals having different fields of view distributed above the establishment collectively to cover d e establishment; hardwired means for coupling the computer to die grid terminals; a plurality of movable, remote infrared terminals distributed diroughout the establishment to form an infrared link widi die grid terminals; first means for transmitting between the remote terminals and die grid terminals infrared signals including a first address field, die first address field containing addresses unique to each remote terminal; and second means for transmitting between the grid terminals and die computer via die hardwired means electrical signals including die first address field and a second address field, die second address field containing addresses unique to each grid terminal. 2. The communication system of claim 1, in which die grid terminals comprise transmitters, the remote terminals comprise receivers that selectively process infrared signals responsive to die addresses in die first address field, die second transmitting means transmits from the computer to the grid terminals electrical signals including the first and second field, and die first transmitting means transmits infrared signals from selected grid terminals to the remote terminals responsive to die addresses in die second address field so infrared transmission only takes place to regions of die establishment where die remote terminals corresponding to die addresses in die first field are located. 3. The communication system of claim 1, in which die grid terminals comprise receivers, die remote terminals comprise transmitters, the first transmitting means transmits from the remote terminals to die grid terminals in die fields of view of die remote terminals infrared signals including addresses in die first address field diat identify die transmitting remote terminals, and die second transmitting means transmits from the grid terminals to the computer electrical signals including the addresses received from die remote terminals in die first field and die addresses diat identify d e transmitting grid terminals in die second field. 4. The communication system of claim 3, additionally comprising means for processing the electrical signals transmitted to die computer to track movement of die remote terminals in d e establishment between fields of view of die grid terminals. 5. The system of claim 1, in which die display terminals are connected to a facility power source. 6. The system of claim 2, in which die wireless links comprise transceivers at each display tag, a grid of conductors connecting die computer to a plurality of points each uniformly spaced from a group of d e display tags, and a transceiver at each point connected to d e grid. 7. An electronic merchandise advertising, management and display system for a retail store having rows of merchandise display (POP) locations, the system comprising: an electronic price information display tag mounted at each location; a central computer for coordinating price, product, and location data at die store; a plurality of POS terminals linked to die computer; wireless communication links between die tags and die computer; a first group of electronic display terminals fewer in number dian die tags in proximity to die respective rows of locations; a second group of electronic display terminals fewer in number dian die first group in proximity to die respective rows of locations; wireless communication links between die computer and die respective display terminals of die first group; and hard wire communication links between the computer and die respective display terminals of the second group. 8. The system of claim 7, in which die wireless links comprise transceivers at each display tag, a grid of conductors connecting die computer to a plurality of points each uniformly spaced from a group of die display tags, and a transceiver at each point connected to die grid, die wireless communication links between die computer and die respective display terminals of the first group comprise transceivers at each of die display terminals of the first group adapted to communicate widi die transceivers at points connected to the grid and die hard wire communication links comprise hard wire connections from die display terminals of die second group to die central computer directly or indirectly. 9. An electronic merchandise advertising, management and display system for a retail store having rows of merchandise display (POP) locations, the system comprising: an electronic price information display tag mounted at each location; a central computer for coordinating price, produce, and location data at die store; a plurality of POS terminals linked to die computer; wireless communication links between the tags and die computer; a first group of electronic display terminals fewer in number an die tags in proximity to the respective rows of locations; a second group of electronic display terminals fewer in number dian die first group in proximity to the respective rows of locations; the communication links between e computer and the first and second groups of display terminals; and die first group of terminals being self-powered and die second group being connected to a facility power source. 10. An electronic merchandise display system for a retail store having rows of merchandise display (POP) locations, d e system comprising: an electronic price information display tag mounted at each location; a central computer for coordinating price, product, and location data at die store; a plurality of POS terminals linked to die computer; transceivers at each display tag; a grid of conductors connecting die computer to a plurality of points each uniformly spaced from a group of die display tags; a transceiver at each point connected to the grid to establish wireless communication links widi die transceivers at die display tags; wireless communication links between die tags and die computer; an electronic display terminal in proximity to each row of locations; and means for linking die display terminals to die computer to display information about e merchandise at a plurality of locations in such row. 11. The system of claim 1 in which die wireless communication links comprise a plurality of transmitters hard wired to die central computer, each transmitter being responsive to a unique transmitter address and a plurality of receivers at die respective display tags responding to unique tag addresses, die central computer transmitting a transmitter address and a tag address when it transmits die data to a display tag. 12. A communication system for a retail sales establishment comprising: a central store computer; a grid of infrared terminals having different fields of view distributed above the establishment collectively to cover the establishment; hardwired means for coupling the computer to die grid terminals; a plurality of movable, remote infrared terminals distributed diroughout the establishment to form an infrared link with die grid terminals; first means for transmitting between d e remote terminals and die grid terminals infrared signals including a first address field, e first address field containing die addresses unique to each remote terminal; and second means for transmitting between the grid terminals and die computer via d e hardwired means electrical signals including die first address field and a second address field, die second address field containing addresses unique to each grid terminal. 13. The communication system of claim 12, in which die grid terminals comprise transmitters, die remote terminals comprise receivers at selectively process infrared signals responsive to die addresses in die first address field, die second transmitting means transmits from the computer to the grid terminals electrical signals including the first and second field, and the first transmitting means transmits infrared signals from selected grid terminals to the remote terminals responsive to the addresses in the second address field so infrared transmission only takes place to regions of die establishment where the remote terminals corresponding to the addresses in die first field are located. 14. The communication system of claim 12, in which the grid terminals comprise receivers, the remote terminals comprise transmitters, die first transmitting means transmits from die remote terminals to the grid terminals in e fields of view of die remote terminals infrared signals including addresses in the first address field diat identify die transmitting remote terminals, and die second transmitting means transmits from die grid terminals to die computer electrical signals including die addresses received from the remote terminals in die first field and die addresses diat identify the transmitting grid terminals in the second field. 15. The communication system of claim 14, additionally comprising means for processing die electrical signals transmitted to die computer to track movement of die remote terminals in die establishment between fields of view of d e grid terminals. 16. The communication system of claim 1, in which die grid forms a communications link to peripheral devices in die establishment.

Inventors: ABELL PETER, BIRD E FREDERICK, DETEMPLE WILLIAM C, GOFF MILTON L, ABELL, PETER, BIRD, E., FREDERICK, DETEMPLE, WILLIAM, C., GOFF, MILTON, L.
Applicants: ABELL PETER, BIRD E FREDERICK, DETEMPLE WILLIAM C, GOFF MILTON L, REST MANUFACTURING INC, ABELL, PETER, BIRD, E., FREDERICK, DETEMPLE, WILLIAM, C., GOFF, MILTON, L., REST MANUFACTURING, INC.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G06F15
IPC codes: G06K17, G06Q30